Community health fees policy

There are 85 community health services located in rural, regional and metropolitan Victoria.

Can a CCHN waive a fee based on a patient's inability to pay?

This is CCHN’s understanding, but this should not be considered legal advice.
CHCs are required by state and federal regulations to make reasonable efforts to collect payment, co-payments, and fees for the provision of health care but can waive or reduce the fees based on a patient’s inability to pay.

Can a CHC waive fees or co-pays?

CHCs may waive fees or co-payments owed by patients on occasion.
However, it should not be done as a regular practice as it violates the federal and state laws and regulations noted below.
Having a common practice of waiving fees and/or co-pays can be seen as trying to entice the patient to seek care at the CHC.

Can a health center adjust a sliding fee discount?

For example, health centers can adjust the percentages or reduce the amount of the fixed/flat fee used for discounting fees for patients with incomes between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Adjusting procedures to assess patient eligibility for sliding fee discounts to accommodate the circumstances of the patient population.

What is a community health service fee schedule?

Community health services (CHSs) use a schedule of fees and income ranges when assessing people seeking services.
This fee schedule applies to the Community Health Program and the Home and Community Care program, which are funded by the Department of Health.

Do hospitals pay a co-payment?

In all the schemes, members pay a small co-payment at the time of service

The government in 2001 abolished user fees in the general wings of public-owned hospitals and lower level health facilities, but fees remain in private wings of government hospitals and in all private facilities

How do I book an appointment at the Community Care Centre?

To make an enquiry or book an appointment please phone 03 5761 4500 or call in to 45 Coster Street, Benalla

The Community Care Centre is also home to the Central Hume Dental Service and is managed in partnership with Northeast Health Wangaratta

The Victorian Government Community Health fees policy applies to most of our services

What is a community health service fee schedule?

Community health services (CHSs) use a schedule of fees and income ranges when assessing people seeking services

This fee schedule applies to the Community Health Program and the Home and Community Care program, which are funded by the Department of Health

×If you receive services via Community Health program, you are required to make a personal contribution to your services. Your personal contribution will be based on your income. You will be required to declare your income to determine which fee range you will be charged. The fees charged should not exceed the actual cost of service provision. Generally, the fee charged should be all-inclusive and covers all materials used in delivery of the service. Where there is a significant additional cost for material utilised in the provision of a service, a separate fee can be charged.